Draped in traditional tartan, the Queen looked in good spirits as she cheered on competitors at the Braemar Gathering in Scotland – the biggest event in the Highland Games calendar.

Clearly amused by the antics, the 88-year-old monarch was pictured giggling and gesturing as she sat alongside her husband and Prince Charles during today’s main events.

As patron of the Games, the Queen joined thousands of spectators to cheer on participants in the tossing of the caber and tug of war contests.

With the independence referendum looming, this could be the last time that the Queen attends the Braemar Games with Scotland still a part of the UK.

Scroll down for video

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles enjoying today's action at the Braemar Games - the biggest event in the Highland Games calendar

Dressed in different tartans, two Highland dancers take to the stage to compete in one of the day's dancing events - where entrants could win up to £100

The Queen looked delighted as she received with a bouquet of heather from a young girl, left, before she presented a man in military uniform with an award, right

The Queen joined thousands of spectators to cheer on participants as they got muddy while competing in the tossing of the caber and tug of war contests

The Queen was joined by her son Prince Charles for the Games, where they watched competitors in the stone put (right) - an event similar to the modern-day shot put

The
Braemar Gathering is held each year just a short distance from Balmoral
Castle in Aberdeenshire, where the royals spend their holidays

Dressed in tartan, Prince Charles waved happily at the crowds attending the traditional event, where several Highland dancing competitions took place

Queen Elizabeth (centre), the Duke of Edinburgh (left) and Prince of Wales look on as a procession walks past the royal pavilion

She
wore a cream jacket, matching hat and placed a tartan rug over her lap
as she took her seat at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial
Park, west of Aberdeen

Prince Philip and the Queen stand as they watch a piper march past the royal enclosure, left, where crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family

She wore a cream jacket and matching hat, placing a tartan rug over her lap as she took her seat in the royal pavilion.

Camilla Parker Bowles was noticeably absent from the traditional event, after being spotted relaxing on a boat in Ibiza.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who joined The Queen at the Games in 2011 – following in the footsteps of previous PMs such a Tony Blair, who made three appearances – also missed the day's celebrations. It is thought he was advised that it would not be constitutionally appropriate.

Held at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, west of Aberdeen, the Games take place on the first Saturday of every September and attract visitors from around the world.

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share

The Braemar Gathering is held each year just a short distance from Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, where the royals spend their holidays. Traditionally, the royals attend a church service at nearby Crathie Kirk the day after the Games.

It has a long history and dates back more than 200 years in its modern form.

But there have been Gatherings of one sort or another at Braemar since the days of King Malcolm Canmore, nine hundred years ago.

Queen Victoria first attended the Braemar Gathering in 1848. Since then it has been regularly visited by the reigning monarch and other members of the Royal Family.